Weathering creativity

Weather theme of Second Thursday Creativity Series

Christie Bleck

Journal Staff Writer

cbleck@miningjournal.net

By CHRISTIE BLECK

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — The whimsical and colorful Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum was a comfortable respite from the blustery wintry conditions that were outside the building Thursday. However, youngsters still could have learned about the weather inside.

“All About the Weather!” was the theme of the latest Second Thursday Creativity Series at the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum.

The series takes place monthly with different focuses.

Thursday’s event featured several activities, all with weather-related themes. For example, in the kitchen, kids could taste noodles colored with food dye and topped with meatballs, which channeled the movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.”

In the airplane area, youngsters could be on the Weather Channel and tell their friends who was going to get wet and windy.

The evening’s featured craft was a cloud collage made with cotton wool characters.

Museum Manager Jim Edwards, commonly known as “Mr. Jim,” helped with one activity: showing people why they shouldn’t use diapers in a swimming pool.

“The crystals in the diaper soak up more water than you’re ready for, and the diapers get heavy, and babies sink,” Edwards said.

He even checked on the package he bought, which came with this caution: “Do not let children wear these in swimming pools.”

The noodle-dish also was healthy.

“I was determined not to do sugar,” Edwards said.

Another activity, which took place in the party room, allowed visitors to paint a pet rock with Kristine McPeak of PeaceSHINE!, an Upper Peninsula connection to the de-stressing program Simply Successful Kids.

“A lot of times, weather stresses us out,” McPeak said, adding that painting rocks can be good therapy.

Free Literacy Night, “Tracking letters & words,” will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Visit upchildrensmuseum.com for details.

The next Second Thursday Creativity Series is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, with “Charlie Brown” the theme.

The museum is located at 123 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.